8.24. Setting Configuration Variables

8.24.1. Problem

8.24.2. Solution

Use ini_set( ):

// add a directory to the include path
ini_set('include_path', ini_get('include_path') . ':/home/fezzik/php');

8.24.3. Discussion

Configuration variables are not permanently changed by
ini_set( ). The new value lasts only for the
duration of the request in which ini_set( ) is
called. To make a persistent modification, alter the values stored in
the php.ini file.

It isn't meaningful to alter certain variables, such
as asp_tags or
register_globals because by the time you call
ini_set( ) to modify the setting,
it's too late to change the behavior the setting
affects. If a variable can't be changed,
ini_set( ) returns false.

However, it is useful to alter
configuration variables in certain pages. For example, if
you're running a script from the command line, set
html_errors to
off.